Match Report
Level 6 Cup semi final
may 1st 2010
scunthorpe 25 v lymm 10
lymm fail to shine in semi sorrow
Lymm travelled to Scunthorpe for the semi final of the RFU Champions cup, knowing that a performance at the same level as their last 2 games would probably be enough to take them to a Twickenham final.
However the hosts, dominant in the scrum, had other ideas. Well drilled and excellent defence stopped the Lymm backs in their tracks, time and time again.
Lymm had to make changes. Hughes was in France and Widdrington, rated at 50% was benched. With several players slow to recover from the Cheshire Cup final on the Wednesday Kinsey started at 9, Fletcher at 12 and Bates at 3. The effect of the previous encounter was for all to see as the home team took an early lead on 14 with a try from their winger. A wicked bounce leaving Knowles grasping thin air and then on 16 the other winger flew through 3 missed tackles. Lymm were 12 nil down before they had even hit a 2nd phase. When they did, on 19, they too scored. A lovely missed ball from Knowles providing Williamson all the depth he needed to finish superbly. 12-5.
Captain Fletcher went off on 23 with a hamstring injury and the balance tipped back to the home team with a penalty on 24. Broadbent was brought on on 32 minutes to provide some balance in the scrum and on the stroke of half time Knowles’ penalty grazed the posts.
15-5
With the wind behind Lymm and a tiring home team the game was still there to be won. A sloppy opening 5 minutes took the game away from Lymm. 3 penalties in 4 minutes gave Scunthorpe the territory to pushover from 10 metres. 22-5 and a further penalty on 54 made it 25-5.
Handling errors and good midfield defence prevented Lymm from building any momentum and it was 76 mins before Williamson went over again after a barnstorming run by Sion Williams, great support from Swetman and another lovely finish by Williamson.
It was a game too far. 31 competitive games with only 6 defeats in all competitions. It has been a tremendous season for Lymm and players and coaches can be proud of their achievements.
Season 2010-2011 promises much as Lymm enter the National League structure for the first time.
Head coach Kinsey reflected on the game “The significant weight difference made it hard for us to win the collision and that made it hard to cross the gain line. All in all it looked a game too far in what has been an outstanding season. The lads should be proud”
Director of Rugby Richard Boundy praised the coaching team. “there are several reasons for success this season but I think Chris Kinsey brings a professional, modern approach to coaching. He has got the most out of the players and we have played with real flair and quality. To even be within a shout of winning the county cup final or a trip to Twickenham is a massive sign of what we have achieved this season”.
Last word to the captain , Adam Fletcher “We have had great season. Very proud of being captain of a league winning side but disappointed about losing this semi but the focus is now on next season”
Team: 1.Tim Oakes 2 Scott Harrison 3 Danny Bates 4. Lee Pickles, 5. Ollie Higginson 6 Ian Cullinane 7 Sam Mullarkey 8. Mark Sutton 9 Chris Kinsey 10. Andy Roberts 11 Dave Williamson 12 Mike Swetman 13 Adam Fletcher C 14 Jack Johnstone 15. Joe Knowles
Reps Sion Williams ,Keith Broadbent , Jordan Widdrington ,Rich Butler , Jake Ashall ,Tom Darbyshire ,Peter Millachip.